Max Foley

I am lucky enough to be playing in the @BahamasKFTour pro-am later this week. Time for my yearly thoughts about pro-ams if you play in one. 1. Play fast and have fun. 2. Players know you’re nervous and know you’re better than you are showing. They know how good/bad you normally are three swings in, Regardless of how you play that day. So try to relax. 3. Pick up your ball at (net) par. 4. Ask questions you are interested in, yes they have answered them a million times, but 99% pros are happy to answer them and know it’s part of the job. 5. Don’t ever look for a ball outside of a Quick Look. (And i mean quick) You paid thousands to play, you prob got at least a sleeve as a tee gift and refer to #1 6. Talk w their caddies, they often have great stories. 7. If you can hit the ball at all, they have seen way worse, and they have seen way better. 8. Ask about specific shots. Say for instance it’s windy ask their process of how they arrived at a club. How many yards they added, etc. There isn’t much of a pros game we can translate to our own, but things like how much to add for wind is something we can. 9. If the pro-am is in carts (pros usually have to walk) take turns walking a hole w the pro, you paid for that access. 10. Don’t ever get mad, laugh at yourself a lot. The pro has played a million of these, they just want a fun group. 11. A pro would pick a group of 30 handicaps that play fast, pick up at bogey, and have fun over a group of +5 handicaps who grind, never pick up, are taking the round serious, 10 out of 10 times. 12. If the players caddie helps the group (rakes bunkers, reads putts, etc) and are engaging (which they should be) tip them at the end of the round. $50 a person is good. Especially on KFT, Epson, LPGA, the caddies are pinching pennies. 13. If you play a pro-am on a mini-tour, tip the player. 14. Ask strategy questions, pros see holes differently than you and I, ask why they played an iron, or why they laid up to a certain spot. Again, those are things you can translate to your game. 15. When the player and caddie are talking when they arrive at the ball, listen. It’s really fun to hear what they talk about. 16. You cannot win. Some team is going to shoot a billion under. So don’t worry about the score. 17. A great under the radar way to know if you got a good pro early…if they tell you what holes you are getting dots, you will have a great time. 18. Often there is a survey at the end of the round. Be honest. If they weren’t engaging or fun, say so. If they were great, say so. 19. Have fun 20. Play fast